From its foundation in 1768 the Royal Academy of Arts has provided a voice for art and artists. We are an independent charity led by eminent artists and architects—the Royal Academicians—and we pursue our mission through exhibitions, education and debate.

Charles I: King and Collector

Discover the legendary art collection of Charles I. For the first time since the 17th century, this landmark exhibition brings together the astounding treasures that changed the taste of the nation.

King Charles I amassed one of the most extraordinary art collections of his age, acquiring works by some of the finest artists of the past – Titian, Mantegna, Holbein, Dürer – and commissioning leading contemporary artists such as Van Dyck and Rubens.

Yet, following the king’s execution in 1649, his collection was sold off and scattered across Europe. While many works were retrieved by Charles II during the Restoration, others now form the core of museums such as the Louvre and the Prado.

Charles I: King and Collector reunites the greatest masterpieces of this magnificent collection for the first time. Celebrating its breadth and grandeur, it includes over 100 works of art, ranging from classical sculptures to Baroque paintings, and from exquisite miniatures to monumental tapestries. In showing these works together, the exhibition demonstrates the radical impact they had at the time and sheds light on how they fostered a vibrant visual culture that was hitherto unknown in England.

Join us to experience the most dazzling treasures of this unique collection, reunited in all their glory.

Exhibition organised in partnership with Royal Collection Trust.

27 January — 15 April 2018

Saturday – Thursday 10am – 6pm
Friday 10am – 10pm

Main Galleries

£20 (without donation £18). Concessions available. Under-16s go free with a fee-paying adult. Free for Friends of the RA with no booking required.

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This is a landmark exhibition. You will not see its likes again. Don’t miss your chance.

The Times

Charles I: King and Collector

During his reign, Charles I set about assembling an art collection to rival all others, but the exceptional masterpieces he amassed were sold off following his execution in 1649. Our exhibition reunites this legendary collection for the first time.

Titian,Charles V with a Dog,1533.

Charles I & Charles II: joint ticket offer

We’ve teamed up with Royal Collection Trust to offer special joint tickets to Charles I: King and Collector at the RA and Charles II: Art & Power at The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace, complete with a break for complimentary cake and coffee in the RA Grand Café. These two historic exhibitions celebrate the role of art in Stuart court culture, through the two kings who acquired some of the Royal Collection’s greatest works.

Stellar, majestic, improbable and utterly engrossing.

Financial Times

'Charles I: King and Collector' exhibition catalogue

This publication tells the compelling story of one of Europe’s most extraordinary art collections, assembled by King Charles I during his reign, now reunited for the first time at the Royal Academy.

With some 240 paintings and sculptures, this book explores the origins of the collection in gloriously vivid detail, featuring work by Van Dyck, Raphael, Rubens, Titian, Holbein, Mantegna, Leonardo, Rembrandt and many more.

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Burlington Gardens site

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